Hotter than what?

When it feels like 110 degrees do you still go to Old town? What a silly question, if we come to Old Town when it is freezing what makes you think a little heat would stop us? It may slow us all down a little bit but it surly won’t stop us. There are plenty of Air-Conditioned stores to shop, they would love to see you stop in. Make sure you thank them all for putting up with us and the crowds we bring every week. I realize it is a symbiotic relationship but it is still nice to let them all know that we appreciate them. Heck if it is an item that I can purchase at Old Town, I’ll wait until I am in “Town” and help keep our benefactors open in this trying economy. Just a few weeks ago I bought a new Camera at Electronic Town suite 205 and they were competitive, with even the “Big Box” stores. Make sure you let them know you are a Cruiser. In case you don’t know, it is the Old Town Merchants Association and individual participating sponsors that provides the funding for the Saturday Nite Cruise. We are guests that help them entertain the visitors to old Town.

Anyway, we would arrive at our usual time, Lee was at the gate and there were already many visitors to the shops and restaurants of old Town. The sidewalks were full of people walking. Dave was at Registration and I spotted Marks “Twisted Rat” in his favorite parking spot. As we made the turn to head towards Block 4 we spotted Gary on the Kart getting much of the last minute arrangements together. Emil, KJ4GNH’s ‘48 Ford was in the spot he likes to call his own. Bunnies ‘68 Fairlane was next to him. She moved the cone so that we could enter Block 4. Thanks! It wasn’t long before Conrad would enter Block 4 with his ‘57 Chevy Pickup and take a spot by the General Store. Manny would park nearby with his VW. Tom & Lori would take the next 2 spots for the ‘Cuda and the Challenger. Dave, KF8CI would arrive just before Bill & Doris would stop by for a chat. Graham, G4HFG would check in over the radio. Ron S would make it out in his ‘34 Coupe and Tommy would park next to him in a steel ‘35 Ford Tudor, Old School Hot Rod. Ed, WB8BHL would call in to say that he wouldn’t make it out today as did T Rod KT4ROD. It seems that work gets in the way too much these days. At least they are working.

Linda & I would take our first trip to the top of “Trophy Row”. By now Richard would be out in his ‘67 El Camino, Bob would have his ‘64 SS Chevelle parked just where he likes it and Nick and Francine were next to him in their “Renewed” ‘32 Coupe. Bob would be in the “Looney Bin” with his Comet, Bill was out in his ‘55 Chevy. Most of the “Redline Rodders” were in place and Karen and the kids were behind the stairs. We would head back to Block 4 and regroup for Dinner.

I would head to the General Store for a bit and check in with Vic, a little more re-arranging going on down there. I did spot some of the Grand Cruise shirts and this years annual shirts on the rack. Larry, WA3PGL and Linda, KA3BRP would make it out. We would all visit for a while before heading up to “Flippers” for the evening meal. On our way up I spotted this Old “Tater Truck” making it’s way down the bricks, yes, it was Doc! It had been a very long time since he was able to make it out and it sure was good to see him and that Old Truck again. Angie would take care of our table that included Mark along with all of our regulars. Tonight there would be a steady stream of Cruisers coming in while we dinned alfresco. Gary would spell Lee while he went to eat. On our way back to the cars we would chat with those that made their way in while we were at Restaurant Row. We managed to catch Mike Singer, KJ4GNI as he was making his way up to the “Blue Room”. That big bunch of Winter Haven Cruisers, you know with the Merc pickup, the Plymouth, the Chevy pickup and the ’72 Ford. I think Dale was there in his Model T Tudor. Ray Ray would have his ‘32 Coupe in his favorite parking spot. “Big John” would be in his chair by the “Looney Bin”. Lynn would have her ‘49 Ford pickup parked next to the “Cruiser of the Month”. It was the ‘66 Mercury Comet Station wagon of Bert and Laverne Brown, on the other side was Juan's Mini. Richard was working in the Kelly’s shack, Dave D would have his “Mint Julep” ‘57 Chevy in it’s carport. Later Mark would join him with his Polara. When we got back to the car I spotted “Bo” out in his ‘70 Monte Carlo, parked next to Doc’s ‘30 Chevy, “Cigar Bob” was with him. The ‘36 Ford is down for a little work. Down behind the rollercoaster was Gary & Wanda in their ‘55 Chevy. Jamie’s 502 Cobra. Hack was on the corner with his ‘60 Impala convertible. Along Holiday Trail area we would stop to visit with Brian, Lisa and Quintino who were out in their. ‘67 Chevelle. I would check in with Gary and Chris that were manning the back lot. Richard KA1RRO from Ocala would stop by and visit for a while.

The rest of the night was spent sharing the stories of the cars with the sea of spectators. A few later arrivals would make their way to Block 4 and it was then time to load up the car and get ready for the Cruise up Deac Hundley Avenue.

Just after 8:20, Chrisanne would stop by with the Flag Winners. The Cruise Staff would direct Bert & Laverne Brown in their '66 Comet station wagon our July 2010 Cruiser of the Month, then the rest of the cars from the top 3 Blocks. Dave, Chris & Mesha and  would then lead them all to Block 4 that becomes the staging area for Old Town's signature event.  Mike Singer, KJ4GNI, who had been at the controls of the "Blue Room" all day, playing a mix of nostalgic music, radio "Jingles"  gave the safety announcements, played the National Anthem, Wolfman Jack then proclaimed "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise" for tonight's  running of this tradition. The Cruisers made their way to the "Bricks" of "Deac Hundley Avenue", Mike announced the Flag Winners as the rest of the 214 cars in cruise formation cruised past delighting a very large crowd of cheering spectators along both sides of the boulevard. Hot or Cold, Rain or Shine or even Snow, every Saturday night of the year, there is nothing quite like it for the "Cruisers" and it is always a treat for those watching it from the sidewalks and boulevards.

Thank you Old Town for letting us, the curators of this "Rolling Display of Automotive History", the cars that are the "Stars", to be their guests this evening. Thank you to the Old Town Merchants Association and the Sponsors of this event, The "General Store", the "A&W",  "Out of this World Embroidery", "Wound 'N Around", Pepsi, Roberts Brothers, the Pearl Factory, the Gold Hut, the "Tropical Breeze", Kool Kats, Tex Mex Express & "Flippers" just to name a few. Thank you to Allan, Ron, Gary,  Lee, Dave, Esther, Vic, Nikki, CJ, Mesha,  Chrisanne, Chris, Deputy Asa and the entire Cruise Staff and fellow Cruisers for making our Saturday in "Town" a very special, fun and safe one.

Newsletter #301 is on sale, still only $2
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See you all "Out There"